Manager admits he’s watched player for 10 years before signing him from Rangers this week
Rangers had an intriguing deadline day as Danny Rohl’s squad took shape for the rest of the season.
Hansa Rostock striker Ryan Naderi joined Rangers on the final day of the winter transfer window as Rohl got his wish of a new attacker.
The big German forward linked up with Rangers loanee Andreas Skov Olsen and winter recruits Tochi Chukwuani and Tuur Rommens, all of whom signed in January.
Conversely, fellow forward Danilo went out the Ibrox door by heading to NEC Nijmegen on loan with a view to buy in the summer.
And another name headed off to pastures new as the Ibrox outfit target their first Scottish Premiership title since 2021.
Rangers’ Joe Rothwell experiment doesn’t pay off
When Rangers signed midfielder Joe Rothwell from Bournemouth last summer, many casual onlookers saw this as a smart bit of business.
Here was a player who couldn’t quite cut his teeth at Premier League level but had impressed for Leeds United in their Championship-winning campaign last season.
In 2023-24, he had a smaller role in helping Southampton get promoted via the Championship play-offs at Leeds’ expense, but still popped up with some vital goals in the process.
And while former Rangers boss Russell Martin played him regularly, with the 31-year-old making 17 appearances between the start of the season and October, Rohl used him just three times.
As a result, Rothwell swapped Rangers for Championship side Sheffield United on a permanent deal on 2 February, something manager Chris Wilder was delighted about.
Wilder admitted he has watched his career over the “last 10 years”, even going back to his time when Rothwell was an academy player at Manchester United up until 2013.
He told BBC Radio Sheffield: “Delighted that Joe [Rothwell] was bubbling along for quite a while. Promotion winner twice and part of the Southampton team that went up as well.
“His performances last year for Leeds. Watched his career over the last ten years at Man United as a kid. Blackburn and Bournemouth. Gives us that experience and quality.”
Rangers sense Scottish Premiership opportunity
Back in October, Rangers were well out of the title race, a turn of events that cost former Southampton boss Martin his job.
Fast forward to the present, and Rohl’s Rangers have enjoyed a six-game winning run in the league before being fortunate to come away with a draw at Hibernian on Sunday.
But, lucky for them, league leaders Hearts, who are six points clear of Celtic and third-placed Rangers, suffered a shock 1-0 loss to St. Mirren on Tuesday night – and they had Craig Halkett sent off in the first half.
Rangers can go within three points of this season’s surprise package if they beat Kilmarnock at home on Wednesday night, with the Scottish giants hopeful that their new signings can make an immediate impact.
Rangers are currently level on points with bitter rivals Celtic, but their Glasgow neighbours are ahead due to goals scored.
Rohl has done an impressive job at the helm of the Gers, and if he can haul in Hearts and pip Celtic to the title, he may become a Rangers legend.
But there are likely to be plenty of challenges on the road ahead for the former Sheffield Wednesday boss and his team this season.